Tag: addictionrecoverymethods

This article is based upon Kimberly’s work and research on alternative recovery methods.

Kimberly is currently working on a book about when addicts should seek alternative addiction treatments…and when they should be avoided.

I hope you enjoy this article.

Each year, millions of Americans have to contend with addiction to drugs or alcohol. You never think that addiction will happen to you, until it does, and then who’s left to pick up the pieces. Everyone’s recovery story is unique. Sometimes you never lose that safety net of a family to catch you and help get your life back in order. Sometimes you are left alone, after addiction has created a rift between you and the people you love. Sometimes there is counseling, group meetings, traditional 12-step programs and on-campus rehabilitation.

Even after taking all of these steps to get life back in order, you can still feel incomplete and normalcy can seem so far away. Perhaps it’s time for you to consider alternative addiction treatments to help you find that missing piece. Here are a few treatment alternatives to help get your life back on track.

Sweating it Out

Addiction recovery can be found in a variety of places, one of which can be your local gym. You’ve probably been told many times how a healthy lifestyle can transform lives, and maybe even seen it firsthand in friends or family who started eating better foods, or began training for a marathon. Well, diet and exercise can benefit more than just people looking to shed a few pounds. In fact, many recovering addicts have rediscovered that putting an emphasis on their diet and fitness routine has done wonders for helping them get through the turbulence of addiction and find the silver lining in their life after drugs and alcohol.

Exercise on its own is known to reduce stress and anxiety, while eating better foods gives us more energy, and can improve our overall mood. Beyond the immediate effects of healthy living, you’ll also benefit from a more structured routine that balances your fitness with everyday life. After seeing and feeling the results of diet and exercise you might notice that piece you have been missing is finally filled, and you are finally back to living your best life.

Expressing Yourself

Another alternative that may supplement your current addiction treatment can be found on the page, or in the studio. Expression is a powerful form of release. It allows you to get all the thoughts and feelings that have been bottled up inside of you out and in the open air. This is why so many recovering addicts turn to the arts as an outlet for their troubles and past traumas.

When expressing yourself, there is no right or wrong way to go about it. Find a medium that speaks to you, be it painting, or singing, or dancing. Start investing in old hobbies like writing or drawing, and harness your emotions as you go about your work. You’ll feel a million times lighter once you’ve put what your feeling into something you made, and you might even discover something about yourself along the way.

Giving it Back

Another way you can assist your addiction recovery is by reaching out and giving yourself back to others. In the past few weeks or even months, you’ve spent a lot of time focused on yourself and your needs. Looking inwards is important to understand who we are and figuring out how to make ourselves better, but sometimes we need more. The answer lies in looking beyond ourselves.

Volunteering in the community is the logical next step for recovering addicts who have dealt with their own issues, and are in need of some perspective. Serving people in need is a great way to see the bigger picture and find a deeper meaning and purpose for your life now that you’ve overcome addiction. You may find that your experiences are not mistakes, but valuable lessons that you can pass on to others so that they can live fuller, happier lives and in the process you, too, will feel proud and satisfied.

These are just a few alternative treatment ideas. By choosing to quit giving in to your addiction, you’ve already proven that you have what it takes to fulfill your recovery. It’s not if you will find that missing piece, but when.